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Romania

A place of mythic legends and dark tales, modern-day Romania impresses with its fine collection of ancient monasteries, age-old churches and character-filled castles. But it's the unexpected delights that also shine bright. Majestic mountains, forests made for hiking, a sophisticated capital brimming with architectural beauty and chic coastal resorts ensure Romania has plenty of aces up its sleeve.

Best time to visit Romania

July and August are the busiest months for tourists all over Europe because the weather is at its warmest. May and June are some of the best months to visit Romania, followed by September and early October as the weather is usually fine and the sites are less crowded than during peak season. Spring and autumn are considered optimal times for birdwatching in the Danube Delta. Romania has harsh winters, with most tourists choosing to travel to the ski resorts. Snow lingers as late as mid-May, and the hiking season doesn't begin in earnest until June. The resorts along the Black Sea coast get busy in late June and stay packed until mid-August. It tends to rain more in March, April, October and November.

Geography and environment

Bordered by Bulgaria, Serbia, Ukraine, Hungary and Moldova, Romania also has a stretch of coastline along the Black Sea. Much of Romania's terrain is mountainous with the Carpathian Mountains and Transylvanian Alps occupying parts of the central and northern regions. Home to a large number of glacial and karstic lakes, rivers and lagoons, Romania's splendid scenery will take many by surprise. Considerable amounts of arable land, orchards, vineyards, rural pastures and farmland are significant features of Romania's countryside.

Top Picks

Top 5 Classic Castles of Romania

1. Bran Castle

Possibly Romania's best known castle, Transylvania's Bran Castle is linked to the legend of Dracula, although somewhat tenuously. Regardless, tourists flock in to see the heritage art, historic treasures and secret passages that all good castles are made of. A short trip from Brasov, this interesting attraction should be high on every traveller's list.

2. Hunyad Castle

Watch towers? Check. Drawbridge? Check. Dark History? Check. Hunyad Castle has all the classic hallmarks of a typical European castle. Once the prison of notorious Vlad the Impaler, Hunyad Castle's unique Gothic-Renaissance style is a result of extensive restoration after years of neglect.

3. Fagaras Castle

This ancient fortress and castle may lack the opulence of others, but is worthy of admiration for its enduring powers. Still surrounded by the moat which protected it for centuries, Fagaras Castle is a wonderful example of effective fortification - with enormous walls and towers built to withstand war and invasion.

4. Peles Castle

Nestled within the Carpathian Mountains, this gorgeous castle straight out of a fairytale is the perfect example of palatial bliss. With 30 bathrooms, an impressive collection of fine art, an extensive armour collection, manicured gardens, marble fireplaces and imposing statues, Peles Castle is one of Romania's grandest.

5. Pelisor Castle

Located within the Peles Castle complex, this castle is most famous for its decadent room made of gilded gold. Featuring Art Nouveau-style furnishings and art, plush interiors and an oak panelled lobby, Pelisor Castle certainly works its old-world charm.

FAQs on Romania

Tipping is expected by service workers who generally earn low wages and rely on tips for their livelihood. A tip of around 10% is sufficient for taxi drivers, wait and hotel staff but feel free to tip more for good service.

Mobile phone coverage is good in most parts of Romania but mountainous and remote areas may have patchy coverage. Be sure to activate global roaming on your phone before leaving home if you wish to use your mobile.

Most toilets in Romania are of the flushable variety. Public toilets are quite scarce in Romania and expect to pay a small fee when visiting one, as is standard practice in many other European countries.

Major credit cards are usually accepted by large hotels, restaurants, boutiques and shops. Smaller retailers like family-run restaurants, market stalls and small shops may not accept credit cards so always carry enough cash to cover smaller purchases.

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: [site:intrepid_insurance_link]

Jan 1 New Year's Day
May 1 Labour Day
May 6 Easter Monday (Orthodox)
May 20 Whit Monday
Dec 1 National Day
Dec 25 Christmas Day
Dec 26 Second Day of Christmas

Please note these dates are for 2013. For a current list of public holidays go to: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/romania/public-holidays

Health and Safety

Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously, and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:

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The World Health Organisation

Responsible Travel

Romania Travel Tips

Intrepid is committed to travelling in a way that is respectful of local people, their culture, local economies and the environment. It's important to remember that what may be acceptable behaviour, dress and language in your own country, may not be appropriate in another. Please keep this in mind while travelling.

Top responsible travel tips for Romania

1. Be considerate of Romania’s customs, traditions, religion and culture.